Something I find disturbing in political discussions on the internet, TV, and in general, is the growing number of people who dislike (even hate) government per se. This outlook isn’t limited to one or the other end of our political spectrum. It’s a general attitude that has become an undercurrent in our present culture.
I have problems with this. Not because I support the way our government functions, or even a ton of its policies. But rather I believe government needs to be a pact among our citizens to provide as decent a life as possible for as many as possible.
Clearly this isn’t the present case; systemic reforms are desperately needed. Just as clearly, the road to those reforms cannot be Hate Street. The only way that we can reach the pact mentioned above is if people talk to each other with respect and try to understand the others’ needs.
I’ve been tough on progressives for their all too often dismissive attitudes toward people with whom they disagree. But it’s not just them. It takes two to talk. And two to listen. And two to try to understand. And a whole lot more than two to change the way things are.
Unfortunately, media being what it is–the use of polarization as a ratings tool–as well as promoting party line bullshit, may very well make reasonable discourse impossible. And that’s a highway “hardnosed” to hell.
More thoughts: The economy and the incredible budget cuts in federal and municipal governments have had a terribly negative effect on women and people of color disproportionate to the rest of our population.
http://www.epi.org/publication/bp339-public-sector-jobs-crisis/
This reminds me of when Clinton “ended welfare as we knew it.” Bang, a sudden huge spike in jailing women for non-violent crimes. All the better to jumpstart ‘for profit’ prison systems. Money for prison growth when sixteen million children go to sleep hungry every night in the United States. Are these really our priorities? I didn’t think so.
More thoughts: I understand why people don’t like paying taxes and it’s clear the major bang for the buck are the wars our leaders place us in. But does this tax hatred include a reluctance to pay for police and firefighters? Trash collection? It certainly includes a lack of desire to pay for first rate schools, teachers and other public sector employees. Are we actually happy having a crumbling infrastructure? Bridges we can’t cross, potholes that wreck our cars’ suspensions? Blocked roads and highways? To say nothing about our desperate need to update everything from education to transit systems to actually be a player in this century. We know private industry won’t take us there unless it brings great profits, which, by their definition means cutting corners and leaving government to hold the bag. (See The Big Dig, Boston.) Once again, this hurts the poor, working, and middle classes. Not Bechtel Parsons. Worse, the Supreme Court decided corporations were entitled to the same rights as humans. Which, as the sign says, “I’ll believe that the minute they execute one in Texas.”
More thoughts: Unions. The Walker victory in Wisconsin (regardless of the money differential spent) says something about our culture’s perceptions and attitudes. I don’t know enough about seniority as an issue so won’t opine (surprise, surprise) but let’s have some perspective. Seniority simply doesn’t stand alone. Unions have also brought us Child Labor laws, forty-hour work week, benefits, the busting of sweatshops, the push for a minimum wage, and job protection.
Worse, our distaste toward unions is allowing basic rights like collective bargaining to be eliminated or neutered and pensions decimated. Sure, unions have done stupid things and need some serious reform–but what institutions haven’t and don’t? Hell, the financial sector came within an eyelash of completely destroying our economy, but the only people who curse them are the people who got fucked by ’em. I never hear a general call for an election built around “bank busting,” a refrain often heard about unions.
More thoughts: Of a much different nature. Music. Been listening to Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammon’s album We’ll Be Together Again. One song in particular, My Foolish Heart, reflects how two different horn styles can come together and create beyond belief beauty. Ammons’ soft, seductive minimalism partnered with Stitts’ hard attack and shower of notes merge with each other in an almost miraculous manner. The entire album is extraordinary but that song is worth the price of admission.
Also been listening to a friend’s (Bruce Turkel)
http://turkeltalks.com/index.php/everyone-wants-to-be-a-rock-star/
new cd called The Southbound Suspects. Really super for a first.
I can’t think of better piano playing than Thelonious Monk’s Solo Monk and Monk Alone: The Complete Solo Studio Recordings of Thelonious Monk. If this is fodder for debate, please argue away.
More thoughts: Watching the construction of my new website by people whose aesthetic taste and expert technological skills (Paula & Tim John) has been an eye-opening wonder. The world in which they work might be virtual, but there is nothing virtual about the skill it takes to create something that’s beautifully reflective of me and Matt Jacob. I’ve been crazy privileged to know Michael Paul Smith who designed my book covers and Tim and Paula. Sometimes I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So.
“Making predictions is a very hard thing to do, especially when it’s about the future.” ~ Yogi Berra